Aging effects the heart in ways my surgeon can't help.  Or, to put it differently, there's more to the pain in my heart than my recent six-way bypass surgery was able to address.  So, what does all that mean?  Simply this.  I'm getting older, now approaching seventy years of age.  Seems surreal even to hear myself saying such a thing.  Seems only a short time ago I was out on the schoolyard at DuVal Elementary, trying my best to make the swing stand straight out while pretending to be soaring through the sky as an Air Force Pilot. 
  
Point is, I've lived long enough to have witnessed a significant amount of history now, and having done so, to realize the evolution of my culture in ways that I cannot say I'm proud of.  In fact, being raised as I was to revere America as the model of everything good and noble that a nation can be, the very highest example of greatness and achievement any people could aspire to, I cannot avoid the feeling of shame and disappointment I am feeling.  "America the Beautiful", personification of virtue and honor, of whom I once proudly sang patriotic songs of praise and adulation: "My Country Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty", "Oh Beautiful, For Spacious Skies, For Amber Waves of Grain"; that 'Great Lady' whose flag I once saluted with great pride, and believed to be the product of God's special blessing because of the very honor given him by the Founding Fathers;  I regret having to say, I have seen her grow old with me, and very sick.
 
 Idealism is a beautiful thing, but is also fraught with the potential for great emotional distress.  Why?  Because the harsh and bitter truth of stark reality is cruel in its determination to crush and destroy the hope and joy that idealism generated in the heart to begin with.  I was taught that patriotism meant that you regarded your country right next to God, in terms of your loyalty and devotion.  That her citizens, your fellow citizens, were to be cherished and protected by the institutions of Government and those elected to serve.  I was raised to believe that people in public office were the guardians of the public trust, who always had the best interest of their constituents foremost in thier minds.  I looked upon Governors and Congressmen and Senators as the most noble among men, honorable, patriotic, servants of the people who were worthy of my highest respect and esteem.  The President of the United States was right next to God, in terms of a person I should revere and be proud to serve.  Need I say more?
  
I don't think a long explanation or description of the status quo in America is even necessary at this point, because when the the sewer is backed up and overflowing into your bathroom floor and running down the hallway, you don't need anyone to point out the mess, or call your attention to the pungent odors wafting from the corruption that has obliterated the once pristine environment.  Yes, I have a heart problem.  A really painful one, that even six by-passes can't help.  It's the excruciating pain of seeing what fifty years of Godless digression has done to my country.  My Beautiful America.  The Great Lady I once revered so much.  I look at her now, and I weep.

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